Casey Arbenz

Mr. Arbenz fights vigorously for his clients. His efforts have led to his designation as a "Rising Star" in professional legal publications. His representation ranges from serious felonies such as Assault, Murder, Rape, and the like – as well as white collar crimes involving accusations of complex embezzlement, theft, forgery, perjury and fraud in both state and federal courts. He has also helped clients injured or wronged by the government, corporations and negligent individuals recover millions in damages. Mr. Arbenz is a passionate defender of constitutional rights who strongly believes in protecting individual liberties from government encroachment. He has had successful results suppressing evidence obtained by way of illegal searches or defective warrants. He is also a zealous advocate for the mentally ill having successfully defended many clients suffering from schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and having their charges either dismissed outright or by way of a not guilty by reason of insanity finding.

Mr. Arbenz got his start in criminal law as a law school intern with the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office where he won his first four trials, prosecuting those accused of Driving Under the Influence in Everett, Lynwood and elsewhere in Snohomish County. After graduation and a very short stint with the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office prosecuting juvenile offenders, Mr. Arbenz was hired by the Hester Law Group in Tacoma Washington and has been with the firm since 2008. Alongside Lance Hester, Mr. Arbenz obtained a not-guilty verdict following his first criminal defense trial – a trespassing in the second degree charge out of Tacoma Municipal Court – soon after joining the Hester Law Group, and has never looked back.

Mr. Arbenz has been recognized for his fervent representation of his civil clients - having a 100% success rate at trial. He has recovered millions for clients injured via the negligence of others as well as those whose civil rights were violated by police or other government agents. His successes earned him Washington State’s 2012 “Professionalism Award” from the Young Lawyers Section of the Washington State Bar Association. He has also served as president of the Young Lawyers Section of the Tacoma/Pierce County Bar Association and is a member of the Robert J. Bryan Inns of Court. This committment to excellence has earned Mr. Arbenz invitations to present to fellow attorneys at Continuing Legal Education seminars sponsored by the Washington State Bar Association in Seattle as well as the Tacoma/Pierce County Bar Association.

Mr. Arbenz believes there are no unwinnable cases, and that oral advocacy skills in the courtroom are secondary to the research and analysis necessary to weaken the opponent’s case and ultimately achieve the best results for the client. Mr. Arbenz is licensed to practice law in all Washington State courts, as well as federally, in the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington.

Education

BA, Chico State University, 2000

MA, California State University, Fullerton, 2002

JD, Gonzaga University School of Law, 2008.

Professional Affiliations & Honorable Credentials

Washington State Bar Association

Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association

Named 2015, 2016 and 2017 "Rising Star" in Washington Law and Politics Magazine

Named 2015 Top "40 under 40" by South Sound Business Examiner Magazine

Winner of the 2012 “Professionalism Award” – Awarded by the YLS of the Washington State Bar Association.

Former President of the Young Lawyers Section of the Tacoma/Pierce County Bar Association

Casey Arbenz's client tripped over a piece of fencing that was negligently maintained by the Washington Department of Transportation. She used her hands to break the fall and in doing so she fractured her wrist. She was very pleased with the $130,000 settlement.

An elderly client with dementia was referred to Casey Arbenz after being arrested and charged with shoplifting for leaving a Fred Myer grocery store without paying for the items in her cart. After procuring letters from the client's doctors and explaining the circumstances to the City Attorney in Puyallup, the case was dismissed. The client and her loved ones were very pleased with Mr. Arbenz's approach to the difficult circumstances surrounding the unfortunate situation.

Casey Arbenz convinced a jury in Federal District Court to find his client Not Guilty of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. The client was very pleased with Mr. Arbenz's efforts in what was a very difficult case.

In the City of Tacoma's criminal court, Tacoma Municipal Court, attorney Casey Arbenz secured a dismissal of the charges against his client (Hit and Run Attended Vehicle). She was very appreciative of Mr. Arbenz's hard work.

Casey Arbenz's client was alleged to have driven negligently after being involved in a collision in Tacoma, Washington. Mr. Arbenz argued that there was insufficient evidence to proceed and the judge agreed - dismissing the case. Mr. Arbenz's client was very please to have the matter behind him.

Casey Arbenz assisted a client being prosecuted for assault in the second degree with a firearm enhancement in King County Superior Court (Regional Justice Center). The client was also charged with a misdemeanor assault. By way of negotiation with the prosecutor, Mr. Arbenz was able to have the felony assault 2 charge and the corresponding 24 month sentencing enhancement dismissed upon a plea to the misdemeanor. The client was very pleased with Mr. Arbenz's work in helping him avoid a felony conviction and prison time.

The Washington State Department of Licensing sought to suspend the drivers license of one of Casey Arbenz's clients for allegedly refusing to provide a breath sample during a DUI arrest. Mr. Arbenz requested a hearing and argued the Department could not show by a preponderance of the evidence his client had actually "refused" the test. The Hearing Examiner agreed and dismissed the action.

Casey Arbenz's client faced a standard sentencing range of 22-27 months in prison. Mr. Arbenz was able to convince the Court to sentence her to an "exceptional" sentence of only 15 months. The client was extremely pleased with Mr. Arbenz's efforts.

A client of Casey Arbenz's has been harassed off and on for several years. On Friday, October 13th, Mr. Arbenz was able to convince a judge in Thurston County District Court to impose a three-year restraining order. Such orders are typically limited to one year but, based on the circumstances, Mr. Arbenz was able to convince the judge to order a longer term of restraint.

The day before court ordered arbitration, Casey Arbenz helped a client settle her case and recover for the injuries sustained when she slipped on spilled ice cream at the Southcenter Mall. The client was very appreciative of Mr. Arbenz's work.

Lance Hester and Casey Arbenz helped a client facing a serious charge of Violating a Anti-harassment Order in Lakewood Municipal Court avoid a conviction despite overwhelming evidence of guilt. The client was thrilled to enter a two-year stipulated order of continuance.

In Mercer Island Municipal Court, Hester Law Group Attorney Casey Arbenz helped a client convert her court ordered jail time to electronic home monitoring. The client was appreciative of the opportunity to wear an ankle bracelet in lieu of jail.

While it is not his normal area of practice, Casey Arbenz assisted a family pro bono with a frustrating and complex mortage issue. The clients were very pleased that Mr. Arbenz helped clear up the issue in less than a week.

In Pierce County Superior Court, attorneys Casey Arbenz and Brett Purtzer helped their client obtain a Domestic Violence Protection Order. The client was thrilled the Court believed her and incredibly appreciative of the work of Mr. Arbenz and Mr. Purtzer.

Through negotiation, Casey Arbenz was able to have his client's felony strike offense charge (assault in the second degree) amended to two misdemeanor charges with a sentence of credit for time served. The client and his family were thrilled with the result.